A beautiful reframe of a classic "joke" about hopelessness amid depression.
Caveat:
Part of why Robin Williams' death hurt so much was that, before we knew he'd ended his life early due to a degenerative illness - back when it "simply" seemed to be suicide in depression - we were surrounded by people genuinely shocked that a funny man could have been sad himself.
That reaction devastated a lot of us. Couldn't they see Williams' lows as well, which infused his comedy?
His death reminded us how many cannot see mental crisis behind a smile.
And *that* hurt. Still does.
100%. I hope you feel seen in the safest of ways more often than not. ❤️
@MLClark Lots of people in the entertainment industry have neuroses. They're attracted to acting because they don't want to be themselves.
I don't have an answer. I know what my "buttons" are, due largely to my dysfunctional upbringing.
Rejection is a big one. I may think someone is rejecting me when they're not. But it drives me into a funk.
Having a companion who loves me helps a lot. But when she's not around, I get depressed.
Hence ... social media.
Now THAT is depressing. 😳
@MLClark Also how many of us become expert in the smile.